Class 66 by Farish - detail differences

[Adrian]

I would be grateful if someone on the Forum, with more knowledge than me, could clarify the issue of detail differences with regard to the body/chassis of the Farish class 66

My limited "understanding" (or misunderstanding!) so far is as follows:

Doors:
Some bodies have just four ie cab access - each side. Others have an additional fifth door - positioned part way along one side.

Access steps:
Linked to the previous feature, some plastic chassis frame have an additional set of steps, positioned to correspond with the fifth door.

Light clusters:
Those incorporated in the plastic chassis moulding on the fifth door variant are a different style to the others

Fuel tanks:
There appear to be two types, one much larger capacity than the other.  This detail seems to be matched to two different sized metal chassis castings

Bodyside grills:
There are at least two styles of these - is one related to the low emission variant locos?

Does this read correctly or am I way off in some respects?  Indeed, are there detail differences on the models that I've overlooked?

I would really appreciate some insight and guidance on the visible variations that exist amongst these Farish class66

In particular, I'm interested in the link between these features and the various sub groups of the class

I wish you a happy and a peaceful Christmas

Best regards

Adrian

[jpendle]

I think all the changes you mentioned are to do with the low emission loco's.
I'm sure someone with more detailed knowledge will be along in a minute


John P

[Jonas]

Very rough answer from memory;

5 doors/access steps and reduced fuel tank = later low emission variant (post 2004?)
Smaller headlights = EWS locos 66001 - 66250, possibly some of the early Freightliner locos too
Larger headlights = later build Freightiner/ DRS / GBRF / Colas locos (including low-emission variants)
Knuckle coupler on bufferbeam = EWS locos

There are also other unseen differences, e.g. Freightliners' 66/6 sub class is geared lower to pull heavier loads, 5 EWS locos fitted with a knuckle coupler that can be uncoupled remotely on the move for banking on the Lickey incline... but you can ignore that as externally you'd never know!

[edwin_m]

I think there are actually three sorts of headlight cluster on the 66 - the first was the traditional Wipac, then one with very large headlights and then back to something like the Wipac but with only two round lenses.  All three are visible on the link below, and although the pics on the Farish website are a bit small to tell, I think the three styles are represented by 66101/209, 66434/546 and 66731. 

http://petertandy.co.uk/class66.htm

[Adrian]

Wow ......... That's a bit of a minefield, Edwin

You're quite right with that third type, you drew my attention to.

However, the link you provided took the subject even further:

A quick look produced locos with very definite pair of equal sized large headlights.

Haven't had time to look closely, but there could be more?

Plan to borrow copies of MLI nos 204 and 205 after Christmas - to pursue the matter

Thanks for your comment

Best regards

Adrian

[StufromEGDL]

 :ngauge:hi Gang,

And some of the early EWS 4 door examples are now being equipped with the later style 2 light Wipac clusters. Saw a pic in a recent magazine....

Later,
Stu from EGDL.

[edwin_m]

:ngauge:hi Gang,

And some of the early EWS 4 door examples are now being equipped with the later style 2 light Wipac clusters. Saw a pic in a recent magazine....

Yes, I believe the third style is effectively a drop-in replacement for the Wipac but has a red/white LED cluster instead of separate lenses for the rectangular white marker light and round red tail light in the original Wipac.  Both still have a conventional halogen lamp for the headlight, as I believe LED technology hasn't yet got to the stage of replacing this.  Many passenger units have had their Wipacs replaced similarly, probably because the LEDs will last practically for ever and replace some of the filament bulb whose failure could lead to the train being taken out of service. 

[Adrian]

Hi Edwin

Wonder if I might draw on your knowledge further please?

I know what Wipac light clusters look like but have often wondered about the origin of the name.

Does it refer to a design, is it the name of a manufacturer?

Do the two syllables mean something?

Is it short for a longer name?

Would be very interested to learn ...........

Best regards

Adrian

PS I do know what an LED is though!!!

[StufromEGDL]

Hi There,

This is a decent explanation about the Wipac name...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wipac
Or the company website
http://www.wipac.com/about-wipac/history.aspx

Later,
Stu from EGDL.

[geoffc]

If you can get a copy of "Traction Recognition" by Colin J Marsden and published by Ian Allen this has 7 pages of photos devoted to the differences between the varients. The book covers all modern traction i.e.: locos, dmus. emus and coaching stock. A valuable reference for modern day modellers.

Geoff

[robert shrives]

General Motors Type 5: Class 66 Locomotives Paperback – 15 Sep 2015
by Ross Taylor

Hi above book out now around £14 mark .sorry no ISBN number to hand my copy has grown wheels and wandered off ... very well worth buying

A good rundown of locos and good pics you can see all these changes and ref to numbers. Like all good stories it is complex and the actors do change camps!
Robert